Legislature 2009: What's Left

The Associated Press offers an overview of how Gov. Joe Manchin's 25-item agenda fared during Wednesday's procedural deadline. That review includes several of the governor's measures that failed the cut, including his proposal tax on interstate power lines that faltered in the final hours.

As for successful elements of Manchin's agenda, and other bills that made Wednesday's cut:

• AP reports separately on Manchin's advancing jobless benefits bill, while the Charleston Daily Mail and The Register-Herald also cover that measure.

• The Beckley newspaper reports as well on the governor's PROMISE scholarship bill, as does The Charleston Gazette and MetroNews (with audio).

• The Register-Herald also spotlights Manchin's "25% by 2025" measure, and so does The State Journal.

• AP reports along with The Charleston Gazette about the Legislature's latest stab at rules governing corporate political spending and election-time ads by third parties.

• AP, The Register-Herald and MetroNews also note Senate passage of legislation allowing "In God We Trust" license plates.

• A House-passed bill "would provide a revenue stream for cities to help pay for tearing down abandoned structures," the Herald-Dispatch reports. "The House also advanced legislation that allows cities to place liens on someone's property for failing to pay municipal fees."

• The Huntington newspaper and The Gazette also note a Senate bill "limiting the funds the Regional Jail Authority can keep in reserve," a move to help counties that owe inmate fees to the agency.

• MetroNews reports on a House bill addressing worker breaks during eight-hour shifts.

• The Journal of Martinsburg highlights a Senate measure "that could make table games a more palatable option for Jefferson County residents" by increasing the racetrack counties' take from that gambling.

As for bills that missed the crossover deadline, The State Journal cites a proposal to allow the public financing of state Supreme Court races, and blames Manchin.